The German arms company Ferrostaal, which is being investigated in several European countries, has funded the film about Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to
Freedom, to the tune of R75m.
Produced by South African company Videovision Entertainment (Yesterday, Sarafina!), Long Walk to Freedom is currently in the pre-production stage. According to the company’s website, the film is budgeted at R261m.
The Democratic Alliance shadow minister of trade and industry Tim Harris said on Sunday that Minister Rob Davies had provided the information about funding in a
reply to a parliamentary question.
“The minister confirmed that Ferrostaal contributed R75m to the R250m required to produce the movie.
“Half of this amount – approximately R37.5m – was structured as a grant. The other half was a loan.”
Harris said the payment was an “offset” commitment for Ferrostaal under the multi-billion rand arms deal.
“This raises questions about the moral appropriateness of an arms company especially one tainted by allegations of corruption, investing in a movie about
Nelson Mandela.”
Source: Various & iafrica
